This hits home for me twice because I'm from New Orleans & the athlete killed was an Atlanta Firefighter which is where I now reside. Sgt Frank Guinn, a nine-year veteran of the department, is survived by a wife and triplet daughters.

It's a tragedy for both cities, the sport, and Ironman. I hope the driver is charged to the fullest extent in a very public way & I hope something good can come out of this with more awareness about bike safety & driver awareness.

Originally posted by MeatheadThis hits home for me twice because I'm from New Orleans & the athlete killed was an Atlanta Firefighter which is where I now reside. Sgt Frank Guinn, a nine-year veteran of the department, is survived by a wife and triplet daughters.It's a tragedy for both cities, the sport, and Ironman. I hope the driver is charged to the fullest extent in a very public way & I hope something good can come out of this with more awareness about bike safety & driver awareness.http://www.ajc.com/news/news/breaking-news/atlanta-firefighter-killed-new-orleans-bike-wreck/nfYPr/

I feel a particular sensitivity to this. I was driving the bike course ahead of the race and came upon the accident about 15 - 20 minutes after it happened. I saw the aftermath of everything, including the rider on the ground, uncovered and without question deceased. It has shaken me like you wouldn't believe. I see his photo now and think yes, that's the guy I saw. It is a fairly wide road. As I recall it didn't happen on a curve. Weather was fine, light breeze. Word is the driver was a guy in his 30s with a 12 year old in the car. No one but the people there know what happened. I saw frank in he middle of the two eastbound lanes I.e way away from the shoulder. No idea whether the driver or the cyclist was at fault, and there is a slowtwitch post referencing a potential witness saying frank waved at his friend and may have lost control

just a long winded way o saying let's let the facts come out before convicting anyone.

Originally posted by ChrisMjust a long winded way o saying let's let the facts come out before convicting anyone.

Very fair point. I think we always want to assume the rider is right & the driver is wrong, but sometimes those assumptions are incorrect.You know that the lives of everyone involved, including the driver, have been changed forever.

Now they've charged the guy with negligent homicide among other things and I'm now with you. Throw the book at him

Originally posted by ChrisMjust a long winded way o saying let's let the facts come out before convicting anyone.

Very fair point. I think we always want to assume the rider is right & the driver is wrong, but sometimes those assumptions are incorrect.You know that the lives of everyone involved, including the driver, have been changed forever.

Now they've charged the guy with negligent homicide among other things and I'm now with you. Throw the book at him

I'm really glad they've found some evidence (whatever it is) and are charging him. It's high profile, this is good. However, it's a little sad, if it was any other cloak out on a ride, I'm not as confident they'd have this same swift response.

this part from the lawyer just ugh - "We believe the victims were just as much at fault as my client was," Hand said. "They were driving in the middle of the street in a 55 mph zone. I know the law says they can, but my client's original perception was that they were riding on the shoulder, like they probably should have been. It took him by surprise when they weren't."

thanks for the update. Crazy that he didn't express any remorse - even if you don't have any remorse, what kind of idiot doesn't at least feign remorse when facing sentencing? His lawyer didn't do a very good job of advising him. Also, is there anyone who believes he pled guilty to spare the family the pain as opposed to pleading guilty so he would get the sentence reduction you get for not putting the state through the expense of a trial, and because we was getting his butt whooped and wanted to get over to prison asap where it's safer for weenies like him.

thanks for the update. Crazy that he didn't express any remorse - even if you don't have any remorse, what kind of idiot doesn't at least feign remorse when facing sentencing? His lawyer didn't do a very good job of advising him. Also, is there anyone who believes he pled guilty to spare the family the pain as opposed to pleading guilty so he would get the sentence reduction you get for not putting the state through the expense of a trial, and because we was getting his butt whooped and wanted to get over to prison asap where it's safer for weenies like him.

IIRC he was driving on a suspended license when it happened as well...so it isn't his first rodeo with driving and breaking laws...

this part from the lawyer just ugh - "We believe the victims were just as much at fault as my client was," Hand said. "They were driving in the middle of the street in a 55 mph zone. I know the law says they can, but my client's original perception was that they were riding on the shoulder, like they probably should have been. It took him by surprise when they weren't."

Lawyers like this guy are what give all lawyers a bad name. This statement makes so little sense, it blows my mind this man actually graduated law school. He acknowledges that the law affords cyclists the right to ride in the road, but they were at fault for not being on the shoulder like they should've been. So the law says one thing, but the cyclist should've disregarded the law and rode on the shoulder. How can a man whose profession is knowing the law, make a statement like this? And his perception was they were on the shoulder? Based on what? "hmm...I see a cyclist in front of me, they look to be in the middle of the road, but he's on a bike, so he must actually be on the shoulder. " I'm glad he is serving significant jail time. As opposed to that other case I heard of recently where the driver was fined $1500.